Dec
06
2009
Does Cooking With Kefir Kill Off All The Probiotics?
Posted by: Alan in Probiotics, tags: Cooking, Does, Kefir, Kill, Probiotics, With
I’ve seen plenty of recipes for using kefir in baked cheesecakes, cookies etc and I’ve wondered what the point is – surely when it gets hot, all the good bugs would be killed off – so is it all just about the taste, and not really about the health benefits, or am I missing something?
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December 6th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Not that I’m an expert in any way, but your understanding is the same as mine. The bacteria cultures would be killed with cooking, so unless it is for taste, texture, or a specific chemical reaction with other ingredients involved, I can’t see the point.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Kefir has many reputed health benefits. It has antibiotic and antifungal properties. It’s been used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, and allergies, tuberculosis, cancer, poor digestion, candidiasis, osteoporosis, hypertension, HIV and heart disease. You might find it odd that that a drink containing yeasts would be good for treating candidiasis but it has been helpful to many people, both by restoring a better balance to the gut flora and because some elements of the microflora will kill off Candida Albicans. Not all yeasts are harmful.
In addition to beneficial bacteria and yeast, kefir contains many vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Particularly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, B2 and B12, vitamin K, vitamin A and vitamin D. Tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids abundant in kefir, is well known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system. Because kefir also has an abundance of calcium and magnesium, also important minerals for a healthy nervous system, kefir in the diet can have a particularly calming effect on the nerves.
The abundance of enzymes brings more health benefits, especially to lactose intolerant people, many of whom can tolerate kefir without difficulty, as long as the kefir is raw and not cooked (cooking destroys the enzymes).